These maps were generated using American Community Survey data from 2014 to 2018. The American Community Survey is conducted annually by the United States Census Bureau. Unlike the Census, the American Community Survey measures a subsample of American households and collects more extensive data, providing insights into community incomes, equity, work commutes, and household compositions.
Percentage Same-Sex Couples
The plot below was generated by Data II Equity to visualize the distribution of same-sex couples throughout Ohio. Each polygon in this map represents a Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) of about 100,000 Ohioans. Allen County, conveniently, is its own PUMA. American Community Survey data are summarized for each PUMA.
The value of each PUMA below represents the proportion of couples that are same-sex. For Ohio, the average was about 0.35%, meaning about 35 out of 1000 couples were same-sex.
Note this is only the proportion of married same-sex couples; as discrimination against LGBTQ persons in employment remained legal in Ohio until 2020, these data do not include same-sex couples who may have lived together but did not marry for fear of losing their jobs.
While the PUMAs with the greatest percentages of same-sex couples were found, as one might expect, near Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, where they account for about 1.0% of married couples, the map shows that married same-sex couples are distributed throughout Ohio, in urban and rural areas alike. In Allen County, married same-sex couples account for about 0.32% of married couples.
Percentage Children from Same-Sex Families
Statewide, about 0.34% of Ohio children, or 34 of every 1000, are growing up in same-sex, married households.
Once again, the proportions of children growing up in same-sex married households is greater near Cincinnati (1.41%), Columbus (0.86%), and Cleveland (0.66%). The percentage of children from same-sex married couples in Allen County (0.34%) and other rural areas, however, is still substantial. Again, since LGBTQ discrimination in employment in Ohio was illegal until 2020, the number of same-sex married households – and the children growing up in them – is likely underestimated.
Conclusion
It is tempting to characterize LGBTQ equality and health issues as urban issues, limited to the I-71 and I-75 corridors. The maps above, however, illustrate that same-sex couples – and their children – live throughout Ohio, and their needs should be the concern of every community, constituency, and representative in our state.